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Saint John's College -

First established in 1696 in Annapolis, Maryland, Saint John's College is one of the oldest learning institutions in the United States. Perhaps its longevity has something to do with its simplicity; Saint John's enrolls just under 500 students annually, and only offers one program.

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Saint John's College -

That program is a liberal arts program, and graduation from the program grants a double major in philosophy and the history of science, as well as a double minor in Classical Studies and Comparative Literature. The entire curriculum is based on a "Great Books" program, where traditional textbooks are eschewed for the reading and analysis of Western classics of all genres.

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Deep Springs College -

Deep Springs College is one of the smallest institutions of higher learning in the United States, with enrollment capped at 26 students. The peculiar school is located on the Deep Springs Ranch in Dyer, California.

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Deep Springs College -

A proving ground for many undergraduates who often go on to attend the nation's greatest Ivy League schools, Deep Springs College not only offers a small selection of traditional classes, but also puts great emphasis on the importance of manual labor, cooperation, and discussion. The 26 students are all tasked with managing the ranch and working together through decision-making processes.

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Grey School of Wizardry -

For all those interested in the secrets of the occult, young and old, the Grey School of Wizardry offers classes online and in person, covering subjects from divination to alchemy and, of course, wizardry.

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Grey School of Wizardry -

The Grey School of Wizardry was opened as an educational program incorporated by the state of California in 2004 by long-time wizard and esoteric writer Oberon Zell-Ravenheart. The school's adopted motto, "everything is alive; everything is interconnected," is attributed to the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero (pictured).

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Gladiator School -

Ever wanted to learn how to fight like a gladiator? While the original gladiators were slave-warriors, forced to fight for their lives for the entertainment of the Roman public and nobility, today you have the choice whether to learn these impressive fighting skills or not.

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Gladiator School -

Sergio Iacomoni, better known as "Nero" on the battlefield, opened his Gladiator School in Rome, Italy, in 1994. Since then, he has offered children and adults alike a full day of rigorous training in the ways of the gladiator, culminating in a full gladiator showdown every Friday afternoon.

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The Body Farm -

Forensic anthropology students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have a particularly morbid scientific playground at their disposal; a place called the Body Farm.

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The Body Farm -

At the Body Farm, donated cadavers are put in just about every situation imaginable and left to rot so that students and researchers can study the process of decomposition in the human body in various situations.

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Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy -

There are few people out there who haven't fantasized about becoming a mermaid and living out the rest of your days as a happy half-human, half-fish hybrid, communing with you fellow fish beneath the sea.

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Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy -

Well, with the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy, today an international organization, you can get closer than ever before. The academy provides fake mermaid tales to don, and instructors help students through the ins-and-outs of swimming like a mermaid.

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Icelandic Elf School -

The people of Iceland have a particularly strong relationship with the creatures and characters of their folklore. Elves, for example, are believed to truly exist by the majority (albeit a small majority) of Icelanders.

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Icelandic Elf School -

At the Icelandic Elf School, visitors can spend a wonderful afternoon learning all about elves and the "hidden people" of Iceland with those who are said to know elves personally, and who know how to see them and communicate with them. By the end of your time there, you'll surely be convinced!

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Tree Climbing Planet -

It seems as though alarmingly few people are interested in climbing trees these days. What used to be a nearly universal pastime for the youth of the world has fallen out of style. However, there is one institution that is keeping the spirit of tree climbing alive.

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Tree Climbing Planet -

The Master Tree Climbing Instructor of Tree Climbing Planet, Tim Kovar (not pictured), has been an expert tree climber for some 30 years and wants nothing more than to share the joy of life in the trees and the connection to nature that is available to all in the canopy.

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Microsoft School of the Future -

Microsoft's School of the Future, located in West Philadelphia, attempts to be just that: the most futuristic school in town. Notebooks, textbooks, and chalkboards are an extremely rare sight, being instead replaced by laptops, tablets, and smartboards.

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Microsoft School of the Future -

The entire facility and all of its resources were donated to the city by Microsoft in 2006. Back then, the school had trouble getting off the ground, and its first batch of students failed to meet any of the state's necessary educational criteria.

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Hamburger University -

Unfortunately, McDonald's Hamburger University isn't quite as fun as it sounds. You won't find any secret Big Mac recipes here.

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Hamburger University -

Instead, Hamburger University is where McDonald's sends their greatest and most hopeful would-be managers to study and get familiar with  the ins and outs of the world's favorite fast food chain.

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Santa Claus school -

Even Santa Claus has to go to school at some point, and so do all of his stand-ins, who seem to pop out of the woodwork just in time for Christmas time at the malls.

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Santa Claus school -

All across the world, jolly and bearded men gather across the world to get back in the holiday sprit  and freshen up their lines.

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The Conjuring Arts Research Center -

Another excellent example for those interested in the world of magic and the occult is the Conjuring Arts Research Center in Chelsea, New York. This school offers a wide variety of classes of the mystical and esoteric.

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The Conjuring Arts Research Center -

Unlike other magic schools, the Conjuring Arts Research Center doesn't shy away from parlor tricks and gambling cheats. The research center features a huge library of books on all things magical, and one can make an appoint to study there and make use of their tomes.

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The Brooklyn Free School -

The Brooklyn Free School, part of the larger Democratic Free School Movement, is a groundbreaking and progressive method of education that emphasizes respect and empathy towards students, creating a democratic environment where teachers and students make decisions together.

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The Brooklyn Free School -

Pupils of the Brooklyn Free School collaborate with teachers to decide what form their education should take, what classes they're interested in and will excel at, and deal with issues as they arise with a sense of mutual respect and cooperative problem-solving.

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Forest kindergarten -

The trend of forest kindergartens began in Germany, where they're referred to as waldkindergartens. They have since spread across the world, and have found particular popularity in the United States.

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Forest kindergarten -

Forest kindergarten is exactly that: kindergarten in the forest. Advocates believe that children of such young ages shouldn't be stuck at desks under fluorescent lights, and are much more conducive to learning and settling into a school environment when they're allowed to be out in the midst of Mother Nature. 

Sources: (List25) (Wisestep) (Brooklyn Free School)

See also: The best jobs that don't require a college degree

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